By Israel Mbam
The long awaited scouting games aimed at discovering young football talents that can compete internationally has kicked off in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.
The Chief Executive Officer of Salt Jewel Football Club and major sponsors of the tournament, Dr Onyechi Nwankwo, expressed optimism that the scouting tournament aimed at discovering young football talents in Ebonyi State and beyond, will expose football talents to both local and international football managers and stakeholders who were present at the event.
The three-day scouting programme, which kicked off on Thursday,1st May 2025, at the Camp David Estate Field, Centenary City, Abakaliki, features 20 teams drawn from within and outside the state. It is expected to culminate on Saturday, 3rd May.
In an interview with Sports Journalists, Dr Nwankwo who was visibly elated, expressed gratitude to God for the realisation of his long-standing dream of contributing in transforming grassroots football from the streets into a structured club platform capable of producing global stars.
He described the initiative as a milestone for Salt Jewel FC and a gateway for Ebonyi youths to showcase their talents to scouts from Europe and Nigeria. “This event is more than a tournament; it is a life-changing opportunity,” he stated.
According to him, one of the proudest aspects of the project was the presence of a foreign investor and European football scout, whose interest in Nigerian players reflects their growing global appeal. “We have players who are not only marketable but also hungry to succeed. This scouting exercise is about giving them that much-needed window,” he added.
Dr Nwankwo also used the opportunity to thank the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for reigniting sports development in the State, which he said has gone a long way in curbing youth restiveness and promoting productive engagement.
Speaking during the event, Mr Tihomir Sloboda, Sports Director of FC Šiauliai Joniskis of Lithuania, affirmed the wealth of talent in Nigeria, referencing national icons such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu as evidence of the country’s sporting potential.
“What Nigerian players often lack is not passion, but technical finesse and tactical understanding,” Mr Sloboda observed. “That is what we seek to refine and harness for international exposure.”
Also speaking, Mr Seun Rich Boss, Director of 1968 Football—a local partner in the initiative—said the target of the scouting exercise is to identify midfielders, attacking midfielders (No. 10s), and defenders, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 20.
He emphasised that the ultimate goal is to place these promising players in European clubs where their development can be accelerated through professional training and international exposure.
Mr Rich Boss reiterated the readiness of his organisation to support future editions of the programme and to continue working with Salt Jewel FC in building sustainable sports development pipelines.
In a show of support, the Ebonyi State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) was officially invited to cover and report on the event, further cementing media partnership in promoting grassroots sports.
The Chairman of SWAN in Ebonyi State, Comrade Ndubuisi Nwogha, commended Dr Nwankwo’s commitment and urged other stakeholders to emulate such grassroots-driven football initiatives that create a bridge between local talent and global opportunity.
He reaffirmed SWAN’s readiness to offer its full media support in promoting youth sports and ensuring that success stories from the tournament are projected nationally and internationally.
As the tournament continues over the next two days, scouts and club representatives will be watching keenly, hoping to discover the next big stars from Ebonyi soil, while young players give their all to turn their football dreams into reality.